And he believes the Chinese Super League will one day compete on an equal footing with the world's best.

Oscar left Chelsea, who are currently leading the Premier League

"I don't think it is a step down," Oscar told reporters in Doha, where he is training with his new team-mates.

"I think in China they are making a great project for me and all the good players that are coming to the league. I am pretty sure that in the future the Chinese league will be one of the best leagues in the world."

The attacking midfielder's recent transfer to Shanghai was seen as a potential game-changer for the ambitious Chinese Super League.

Carlos Tevez, Axel Witsel, and Ricardo Carvalho, who will also line up for Shanghai SIPG, have all moved to China in recent weeks.

But it was 25-year-old Oscar's decision to leave the current Premier League leaders in his prime that raised eyebrows.